This is the sum of things-that we A moment live, a little see,Do somewhat, and are gone : for so The eternal currents ebb and flow. This is the sum of work-that man Does, while he may, the best he can; Nor greatly cares, when all is done,What praise or blame his toils have won This is the sum of sight-to findThe links of kin with all our kind, And know the beauty Nature foldsEven in the simplest form she moulds. This is the sum of life-to feelOur hand-grip on the hilted steel, To fight beside our mates, and prove The best of comradeship and love. This is the sum of things-that weA lifetime live great-heartedly,
See the whole best that life has meant, Do out our work, and go content.
"Ishmael Dare " (A. W. Jose)
Author.-The pen-name "lshmael Dare " is a pleasant pun on j"ose, which is "I dare " in French. Arthur Wilberforce Jose, born in England in 1863, is Acting Professor of Modern Literature at Sydney University. He has written a History of Australia, and was editor-in-chief of The Australian Encyclop?dia.
General.-Every one, sooner or later, is faced with the question, Whatdoes it all mean? The first stanza tries to indicate life"s chief events-to be born, to see, to do, to go. The second tells us what real doing means; the third, real seeing; the fourth, real living; the fifth adds things up. Mention the main thought in each stanza. What other psalms of life do you know? Quote Longfellow, Gordon.
